Cambridge Aspire vs Duolingo

Cambridge Aspire combines academic expertise with learning materials for instructors and students. Its Institutional eTextbook Collection gives institutions access to over 1,000 Cambridge eTextbooks, while individuals can purchase specific titles with perpetual access. Instructors can try a subject eTextbook Collection for three months at free. Cambridge Spiral is a web, desktop and mobile application for downloading and reading textbooks offline. It supports bookmarks, highlights, annotations and links, with an Annotations tab for managing and reviewing notes; instructor annotations are available through custom group mode. The eReader allows copying and printing up to 20% of an eTextbook, and text-to-speech turns eCollection textbook titles into audio. Library users may access books through IP verification, Shibboleth or Athens. Online read-only access does not include annotations, bookmarks or offline reading. The Cambridge Aspire website supports LTI 1.1 links to textbooks or chapters in Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, DSL and Sakai.

Duolingo offers learning in languages, chess and math through short lessons that adapt to a learner’s level and pace. Language practice covers reading, writing, listening and speaking, with speech exercises, personalized review, offline lessons and a placement test among the listed tools. Challenges, reminders and game-like features provide ways to structure practice. Duolingo says its teaching methods are research-backed and aimed at real-world communication skills. It lists 40 languages and is available on Android, iOS, macOS and the web. The pricing note includes a free plan and a 14-day trial. Other listed products include the Duolingo English Test, Duolingo for Business, Duolingo for Schools, Super Duolingo and Duolingo Max. The English Test is described as AI-enabled and intended to be taken wherever and whenever users perform best. FAQs and service status information are available. Duolingo was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.